Car truck



7 1,630,570 May 3% 1927. B W. KADEL v Q CAR TRUCK Filed May 12 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 attozu us Patented May 31, 1927,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BYE RS W. KADEL, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

CLB TRUCK.

Application filed Ma 12, 1928. Serial No. 108,862.

.frames, spring plank and spring plates associated therewith, whereby an extra spring unit may be used for increasing truck capacity without radical change in the construction of the various parts.

Anobject of my invention is'the employment of an A. R. A. standard four unit nest of springs-more widely spaced than normal with an additional springunit centrally positioned with respect to the four units whereby increased oapacityof the truck is secured, the side frames, spring plank and spring plates being modified to the necessary extent for efiiciently accomplishing the desired result.

Another object of my invention is the design of side frames, springplank and associated spring plates for permitting the employment of an additional spring unit with 7 each side frame associated with four standard spring units which are specially positioned for accommodating the extra spring unit, the spring plank seat portions of the side frames being so constructed and rein-- forced by webs or brackets and ribs or flanges that a spring plank seat of ade uate area and sufiicient strength is provide for supporting the spring plank and its associated Springs, spring plates and bolster.

A further object of my invention is the utilization of an additional spring 'unit'ot corresponding size with an A. R. A. standard four unit nest ofsprings positioned on spring plates with an associated spring plank, bolster and side frame so that the entire group balances about the longitudinal center line of the side'frame, the standard nest of springs, for that purpose, being more widely spaced to receive the additional spring ,unit centrally thereof, the spacing to railway car said additional plank and bolster,

longitudinally of the side frame, however, corresponding with the width of the bolster openlng so that insertion of the assembled springs in place is permitted, the associated spring plank being formed with a boss at its end for limiting outward shifting of the springs. 1

A still further object of my invention is' the provision ofv an additional sprln unit associated with an A. R. A. standar four gronp nest' of springs for increasing the capaclty of car trucks with which employed, spring unit being positioned respect to the four standard springs units, the associated spring plates being formed to correspond with and receive the extra spring unit and provided with 10- eating bosses center line of gravity for the com lete five unit nest of springs, whereby St-lld' bosses are adapted for reception in standard positiomng apertures in the associated s ring centrally with formed on each end thereofnvith a boss for said spring plank eing.

arrangedon the longitudinal limiting the outward shifting of the assembled springs, the plank as a whole being correspondingly lengthened but adapted for receiving the standard four unit nest of springs, if desired, the complete nest of springs being arranged so that the center of gravity thereof lies on the longitudinal center line of the associated side frame, said spring plank and side frame being formed with apertures for receiving spring retaining bolts, the aperture in the side frame being positioned approximately on the longi tudinal center line thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by,

the appended claims: c

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a car truck, particularly illustrating the construction. of the various members asso 'ciated with the bolster springs.

'Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view on portion of the side frame,

the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a-plan of the spring plank seat the position of the springs thereover being diagrammatically indicated by dot and dash lines.

Figure 5 is a' top plan of a bottom spring plate and is likewise a bottom plan of a top spring plate.

Referring to the drawlngs n detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, a truck side frame 1 is shown fragmentarily and said frame, n thepresent embodiment of my invention, 15 of integral cast construction embodying a compression member 2, a tension member 3 and'bolster guide columns or struts 4 spacing intermediate portions of saidcompression and tension members, leaving a bolster or window opening 5 therebetween. The compress on memher 2, over the bolster opening is indicated as of substantially channel or inve shape in cross section, the bolster guide c olumns are shown as of similar construction at the bolster guiding portions thereof, while the tension member 3, beneath the bolster opening 5, is shown as generally box sha e in cross section. In this particular emb 1- ment, the tension member 3, beneath the bolster openin is formed with an upper web 6, a lower web 7, a front or outer web 8 and a rear or inner web 9, said webs 8 and 9 preferably remaining substantially upright for their entire length but POSltlOIlGd more widely apart beneath the spring plank seat portion for more efliciently supporting the springs positioned thereover. The web is preferably formed of substantially uniform width except and the sprin plank seat portion w iere 1t is slightly wi ened to correspond with the wider spacing of the side webs 8 and 9 which extend from the edges thereof to the u per web 6. In order to form a spring 1p ank ewe 6 is seat portion of ample width, t extended laterally beyond the upper edges of the webs 8 and 9 forming outwar or front flange or shelf ortions 10 and inward or rear flange or shel portions 11. y i

The spring plank 12 preferably restsdirectl on the 11 per web 6 of tie tension mem er which orms the spring plank seat portion and the upper surface of said seat portion is preferably provided with A. RaA. standard squaring lugs 13 which engage in corresponding apertures 14 in the 5 ring )lank for maintaining the desired re ation tween the spring plank and side frame. The end of the sprin plank 12 is referably formedwith an em ossmentor 05515 to spring group. Thelength of the spring U apertures 16 of the sp beneath the bolster o ening' .upstanding annu ar 1H limit the outward shifting of the associated plank is preferably slightly greater than the standard spring plank because of the additional s ringmgroup 'or unit with which it is adapte to used. The width of the spring p ank at the ends thereof is slightly greater than normal because of the increased corresponding dimension of the spring group or nest with which employed but the spring (plank maybe formed from a blank of stan ard width with the flanges decreased in height at the ends of the plank to correspond with the necessary increase in width of the plank for the accommodation of the new spring arrangement. As shown most clearly in igures 1 and 2, the sprin plank 12 is of channel construction and t e web thereof is formed with spring plate locating apertures 16 so positioned that, when the spring plank is assembled with the side frame, said apertures are located on the longitudinal center line of the frame.

Positioned on the web of the spring plank 12 is a spring plate 17 formed with locating bosses or extensions 18 which engage in the ring plank and properly osition the sprmg late and the associate spring units 19. n theembodiment illustrated, the bosses 18 are formed by pressing substantially conical extensions downwardly from the spring plate 17 but it is obvious that they may be of any desired construction. In accordance with my invention, 1 preferably em loy an A. R. A. stand ard four unit nest o springs which is positioned on the spring ,plate 17 but the units are morewidely spaced with respect to each other than normal for receiving an additional spring unit or gpou of springs 20 centrally thereof. Eac of the groups of springs or spring units 19 and 20 preferably comprises in accordance with usual practice an outer coil 21 and an inner coil 22. All of the springs are preferably positioned directly on the spring plate 17 and properly located with res ct thereto by means 0 flanges or collars 23 which engage the innermostsprings 22 of the spring groupsor units 19 and 20. In order to accommodate the extra spring group or unit 20, the s ring plate 17 is correspondingly extende in area, as shown most clearl in Figure 5, and formed with five insteac of four spring locating collars 23. The additional roup of s rings 20 is preferably centrally ocated witli respect to the other springs 19 in accordance with the normal spacing between said springs and lies, when assembled, on approximately the longitudinal center line of the side frame so that the entire group balances about said longitudinal center line, that is, its center of avity corresponds therewith. The locatbosses 18 are likewise arranged so that they lie on the longitudinal center line of the side frame when assembled and, therefore,

are in line with the spring collar for the extra central spring group 20, as shown most clearly in Figure 5.

The upper spring plate 24 may be identical with the lower spring plate 17 but is reversed in position so that the collars 23 thereon extend downwardly and engage the inner springs 22 of the spring groups or units 19 and 20, the outer springs 21 being properly positioned by being wound in an opposite manner compared with the inner springs and closely encircling said inner' springs. The locating bosses 18 on the upper spring plate 24 extend upwardly and engage in corresponding, apertures 25 in the truck bolster26.'0n account of the wider spacing of the original springs of the standard four unit nest of springs, it may be necessary to extend the substantially horizontal spring engaging: web or face 27 of the bolster 26 inwardly to 28 and the bolster is preferably of a length corresponding with the increased length of the spring plank.

For retaining the spring plates 17 and 2t in the desired assembled relation with re-- spect to the springs therebetween and placing the springs under any desired slight amount of initial stress or compression, the spring locating collars engaging the central s rin set or rou of's rin s are referably formed with inwardly extended annular ledge portions 29 leaving openings 30 for the reception of a retaining bolt or other connecting means 31 extending therebetween with a headed portion thereof and nut thereon, respectively, engaging the ledge portions 29 on the upper and lower spring plates. The spacing of the standard or outer four units is preferably such that the length of the group in the direction of the length of the side frame corresponds with the bolster opening so that the assembled nest ofsprings may be inserted through sald opening and positioned over the spring plank seat portion of the frame with the necessary clearaneeonly provided with res out to the bolster columns, The spacing o the four outer spring units in a direction transverse to the side frame or longitudinally of the sprin plank is governed by the space necessary or the central spring unit 20 and, In accordance with this requirement and otherwise spacing the springs in this direction a Ininumumdistance apart while still allowing normal clearance therebetween, it will be apparent thatthe spring arrangement is substantially or approximately square in outline, as shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 4. More particularly, however, the arrangement or outline of the nest of springs is rectangular, the long axis of the rectangle extending transverselyof the side frame, but being only slightly longer than the short of the beneath the outer axis thereof which extends longitudinally of said frame.

From a consideration of the foregoing disclosure of the spring group, the following characteristics will be noted with reference particularly to Figures 1 and 2. The transverse distance between the centers of the outer springs and those of the inner springs is greater than the transverse dimension of the bolster guide columns and particularly the bolster guiding portions thereof, that is, the centers of all the springs except the cen tral spring unit lie outwardly or beyond the respective adjacent side planes of the columns. It will also be seen that, in the present embodiment, the side edges of the springs or the transverse planes tangent to the end portions of the springs are substantially alined with the respective faces bolster guiding portions of the columns. These characteristics both serve to increase the actual clearance between the four center spring units and the edges or corners of the adjacent columns.

In order to allow for compression of the springs due to the load of the car, the spring plank 12 is preferably apertured at 32 directly beneath the bolt 31 and the upper web 6 of the tension member of the side frame is formed with a registering aperture 33. The edges of the spring plank seat portion or upper web 6 of the tension member adjacent the aperture 33 are preferably reinforced by depending flange or collar portions 34 so that the strength of the frame is not materially decreased by said aperture 33. v

For adequately reinforcing the spring plank seat or upper web 6 of the tension member 3 for supporting the novel arrangement of springs in accordance with my invention, said web 6 is preferably formed and reinforced as most clearly shown in F i gures 3 and 4. It will be apparent that the front or outer edge of the web 6 is extended in *width to a maximum below the outer spring units and extended at uniform-width between said outer spring units. A similar construction occurs beneath the inner pair of spring units. Approximately directly springs, the extended flange 10 is preferably reinforced and braced with respect to the web 8 by means of triangular web or bracket portions 35 and the inwardly extending flange 11 is similarly reinforced by substantially triangular web or bracket portions 36 extending directly beneath .the inner spring units between said flange 11 and the inner web 9.

As a further reinforcement for the spring plank seat portion or web 6 of the tension member, the reinforcing collar or web 34 around the aperture 33 1s preferabl joined to the side webs 8 and 9 by depending ribs or webs 37 and 38, respectively, positioned directly under the transverse center line of the central spring unit 20, as most clearly indicated in Figure 4. From a consideration of this figure, particularly, it will be apparent that the webs or brackets 35 and 36 together with the collar 34 and webs 37 and 38 are positioned most efiiciently for adequately supporting the springs positioned thereabove especially as the eificiency of the arran ement is increased by the wider spacing the side webs 8 and 9 directly beneath the spring plank seat portion of the frame. It will be apparent that although the aforedescribed reinforcement is especially designed for the five unit nest of springs arranged in accordance with my invention, yet it is admirably adapted for supporting the A. R. A. standard four unit nest of springs when the same are positioned so that the center of gravity thereof lies on the longitudinal center line of the side frame.

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be seen that I have devised a construction which provides for a twenty-five per cent increase in spring capacity without radically changing the construction of the side frame, spring plank and associated bolster. Although the arrangement is especially adapted for increasing the spring capacity of fifty-five ton side frames yet, as is obvious, it is not limited to such use. With the modified side frame and bolster, the A. R. A. standard four group nestof springs with corresponding spring plates, used with a standard spring plank or one lengthened and widened at its ends to accommodate the wider spring arrangement, may be employed interchangeably with the springs and spring plates disclosed in accordance with my invention although, of course. there will be slightly more clearance at the bolster where the lower web 27 thereof changes from horizontal to downwardly sloping position and,vif using the same spring plank, there will be likewise slightly more clearance adjacent the spring plank flanges and outer embossments 15 thereon.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with bolster columns leaving an opening therebetween normally adapted for a four unit nest of springs and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a five unit nest of springs supported by said spring plank seat portion and arranged with two pairs of transversely arranged springs,

longitudinally spaced to allow just sufficient clearance with respect to the bolster columns, the spring units of each pair being spaced sutficiently transversely of the frame for receiving the fifth spring unit centrally disposed with respect thereto, said five unit nest of springs being positioned so that it balances about the longitudinal center line of the side frame.

2. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a spring plank positioned on said seat portion, a five unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank above the seat portion of the frame, four of said spring units being arranged approximately as a square in outline and formed as two pairs of spring units positioned, respectively, inwardly and outwardly of the longitudinal center line of the associated side frame, the units of each pair being spaced as far apart as possible yet close enough together to allow sul cient clearance for insertion in the bolster opening, the corresponding spring units of the pairs of springs being spaced sufficiently transversely of each other for allowing the fifth spring unit to be positioned centrally with respect to the four spring units, the entire nest of springs being positioned so that its center of gravity corresponds with the longitudinal center line of the frame.

3. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the window opening, being laterally widened to form a spring plank seat portion, a spring plank supported on said seat portion, a live unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank, four units of said nest of springs being arranged in rectangular formation with the long axis of the rectangle disposed transversely of the side frame and only slightly longer than the short axis thereof, the outer rectangular outline of said springs being narrow enough for insertion thereof between the bolster columns and wide enough for receiving the fifth spring unit centrally of the other springs with normal clearance with respect thereto, the. entire nest of springs being positioned so that its center of gravity coincides with the longitudinal center line of the side frame, a bolster, the corresponding end of which is supported by the springs, and retaining means for said springs serving to place the same under initial tension and acting to properly space the springs with respect to each other, the spring plank and holster.

L'In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion underlying said opening, a standard four unit nest of springs supported by means of said spring plank seat portion and an additional spring unit of the same size as the units of the nest of springs centrally disposed with respect to the four units, said four units, for that purloo the side frame until just enough c pose, bein moved lon 'tudinally toward the correspon g ends 0 the side frame until just enough clearance remains for insertion in the bolster opening and moved transversely toward the corresponding sides of 'earance is provided for insertion of the fifth spring unit centrally thereof, the combined set of springs being positioned so that its center of gravity lies substantially on longitudinal center line of the frame.

v 5. In a car truck, in combination,;a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said 0 ning, a spring plankawith its 'correspon ing en 1 sup orted on said spring plank seat ortion and unit nest of springs, the units of said nest, however, being movedtransversely and outwardly from the longitudinal center line of the spring plank unti just enough clearance remains for permitting insertion of the springs through the bolster opening and moved transversely and outwardly from the longitudinal center line of the side frame until enough clearance is provided for the the springs spring plank seat portion ing, a spring plank pos1t1oned on said seat insertion of a fifth spring unit centrally of the other springs, said fifth unit positioned cent-rally of said four spring units and the whole group being arranged so that it balances about the longitudinal center line of the side frame, said spring plank being formed with a boss at its end outwardly of for limiting outward shifting thereof.

6. Ina car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a beneath said openportion, astandard four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank above the spring plank seat portion of the frame, the units of said nest of s rings, however, being more widely space longitudinally and transversely and a fifth unit centrally disposed with respect'thereto, the dimenslons of said complete nestof spr ngs corresponding with the bolster opening for allow ng insertion thereof in place and the entire nest of springs being'positioned so that its center of grav ty corresponds with the longitudinal center line of the frame.

' 7. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compressionmember, a tensionmember and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of the compression and tension members'and leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the window opening, being laterally widened to form a spring plank seat portion, a spring plank supported on-said seat portion, a standard four unit nest of 8 rings supported on said spring plank, an a ditional spring unit positioned centrally with respect to sa d four in turn supporting a standard our.

spaced longitudinally and unit nest of springs, the units of said nest,

of springs for that purpose, being spaced more widely apart transversely of the side frame so that room is provided for said fifth unitand longitudinally of the side frame so that just sufficient clearance is provided with respect to the bolster opening, the entire group being arranged so that its center of gravity coincides with the longitudinal center line of the side frame, a bolster, the corresponding end of which is supported by the springs, spring plates positioned one above and one below said springs and retained by a bolt passing through the plates and through the center spring of the five unit nest of springs, being apertured to correspond with the position of the bolt and being provided with a boss to limit outward shifting of the nest of SPIlIl s.

8. n a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a standard four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank seat portion and more widely spaced longitudinally and transversely, and an additional spring unit positioned centrally with respect to said four unit nest of springs, the entire group being located so that it balances about the longi- 'tudinal center line of the frame, spring plates positioned one above and one below said springs and provided with" locating bosses on the center line of the frame adapted for engagement in corresponding apertures in the spring plank and associated bolster, respectively, for properly locating the w centrally of the four unit nest of springs which, for that purpose, are more widely transversely, the springs, however, being sufficiently closely spaced-for permitting insertion in the bolster o ning with suflieient clearance, spring pates for said springs, said plates being provided with securing means extending therebetween and substantially conical locating bosses arranged to engage in corresponding apertures located on the center line ofthe frame.

10. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said comression and tension members and leaving a olster opening therebetween, that portion of thetension member, beneath the bolster Ill) . being retained nearly underlie opening, being generally box shape in cross section with an upper relatively wide web forming a spring plank seat portion, a lower web narrower than said upper web, side websextending between the outer edges of said lower web to the upper web, a spring plank supported on said upper web, a four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank and a fifth spring unit centrally positioned with respect thereto, said four units, for that purpose, being more widely spaced but still retaining an approximately square outline with the dimension longitudinally of the side frame just sufiiciently small to permit insertion of the springs in the bolster opening, said nest of springs being arranged so that the center of gravity thereof lies on the longitudinal center line of the side frame with the central spring unit, therefore, positioned on said center line, the supporting web of the side frame being reinforced for properly supporting said sprin s by the side webs being more widely space beneath the spring plank seat portion so as to more the outermost and innermost pairs of sprin units and further reinforced y substantia ranged under t e inner spring units between the upper web'and the inner web, substantially triangular web portions under the outer spring units between the upper web and the outer web, the supportin web of the tension member between the si e webs thereof under the central 5 ring unit of the nest of springs, where y the spring plank seat ortion of the side frame is adequately rein orced.

11. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member'and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a bolster opening therebetween, the portion of the tension member, beneath the bolster opening, being formed generally box shape in cross section with an upper relatively wide web serving as the spring plank seat portion and adapted for supporting a spring plank upon which rests a five unit nest of springs arranged with four of the units in approximately square formation and the fifth unitpositioned centrally with respect to the other units, the dimensions of the complete nest of springs, however, corresponding with the bolster opening for permitting insertion thereof, the upper web of said box section being widened for adequately supporting the spring plank and springs and the side webs of the box section, beneath the spring plank seat portion,

in substantially upright position but caused to diverge on either side of the spring plank seat portion so that they extend more nearly beneath the centers of the inner and outer springs, respectively, of

triangular web portions arand a rib depending from the nest of springs, the maximum divergence occurring under said inner and outer springs, respectively, and the side webs extending at a uniform distance apart between the innermost and outermost springs, respectively,

the spring plank seat portion being additionally reinforced by depending portions extending transversely beneath the spring supported on said seat portion, a five unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank, four units of said nest of springs eing arranged in rectangular formation with the long axis of the-rectangle disposed transversely of the side frame and onl slightly longer than the short axis thereoi the outer rectangular outline of said s rings being narrow enough for insertion tliereof between the bolster columns and wide enough for receiving the fifth spring unit centrally of the other springs with normal clearance with respect thereto.

13. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a spring plank with its corresponding end supported on said spring plank seat portion and in turn supporting a standard four unit nest of springs, the units of said nest, however, being moved transversely and outwardly from the longitudinal center line of the spring plank until just enough clearance remains for permitting insertion of the springs through the bolster opening and moved transversely and outwardly from the longitudinal center .line of the side frame until enough clearance is provided for the insertion of a fifth spring unit centrally of the other springs, and said fifth unit positioned centrally of said four spring units.

14. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of the compression and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the window opening, being laterally widened to form a spring plank seat portion, a spring plank supported on said seat portion, a standard four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank, an additional spring unit positioned centrally with respect to said four unit nest of springs, the units of said nest of springs, for that purpose, being spaced more widely apart I four units, for that purpose,

I said lower we transversely of the side frame so that room is aprovided for said fifth unit and longitu inally of the side frame so that just sufficient clearance is provided with respect to the bolster opening, the entire group being arranged so that its center of gravity coincides with the longitudinal center line of the side frame, a ho ster, the corresponding end of which issupported b the springs, spring plates positioned one a ve and one below said springs and retained by a bolt passing through the plates and through the center spring of the five unit nest of springs. 15. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with amompression member,

a tension member and bolster guide columns spa'cing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leav ng a bolster opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the bolster opening, being generally box shape in cross section with an upper relatively wide web forming a spring plank seat portion, a lower web narrower than said upper web, side webs extendin between, the outer edges of g to -'the upper web, a spring plank supported on said upper web, a four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank and a fifth sprin umt centrally positioned wlth respect t ereto, said being more widelyspaced but still retaining mately square outline with the dimension .longitudinall of the side frame just sufficiently smal to permit insertion of the springs in the bolster openin said nest of springs being arranged so t at the center of gravity thereof lies on the longitudmal center line of the side frame with the central spring unit, therefore, positioned on said center line, the supportin web of the side frame bein reinforced or properly supporting said sprin by the side webs being more widely space beneath the spring plank seat portion so as to more nearly underlie the outermost and innermost pairs of spring units.

16. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a bolster opening therebetween, the portion of the tension member, beneath the bolster opening, beingformed generally box shape in cross section with an upper relatively wide web serving" as the spring plank seat portion and adapted for 'supporting'a spring plank upon which rests a springs arranged with: four of the units five unit nest of uare formation and the fifth unit position centrally with respect to the other units, the dimensions of the complete nest of s rings, however, corresponding with the lster opening for perin approximately an approxiportion of the frame of said transverse webs mitting insertion thereof, the upper web of said box section being widened for adequately supporting the spring plank and springs and the side webs of the box section, beneath the spring plank seat portion, being retained in substantially upright position but caused to diverge on either side of the spring plank seat portion so that they extend more nearly beneath the centers of the inner and of the nest of springs, the maximum divergence occurring under said inner and outer springs, webs extending at a uniform distance apart between the innermost and springs, respectively.

17, Aside frame for railway car trucks comprising acompression member, a tension member and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the frame, beneath the window opening, being formed with an up er relatively wide web serving as a spring p ank seat portion, and side webs depending therefrom, said upper web being formed with an aperture therethrough for receiving retaining means for the bolster springs when said springs are compressed, said aperture being positioned on the longitudinal center line of the frame, and the spring plank seat portion being reinforced by causin the side webs of the tension member to iverge beneath the bolster guide columns toward the center of the spring plank seat portion and be more widely spaced beneath said (seat portion.

18. A side frame for railway car trucks comprisin a compression member, a ten sion mem er and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said comfor the bolster springs when said springs are compressed, said aperture being positioned on the longitudinal center line of the frame, the edges of the at said aperture being reinforced by a depending flange for maintaining the strength at that point and the spring plank seat portion being reinforced by the wider spacing of the side webs of the tension member and the provision of transverse webs extending outer springs, respectively,

outermost so spring plank seat of said tension member outwardly from the outer side web and in from the inner side web and each being especially over ying spring.

wardly adapted for supporting an unit and a corresponding reinforcement joining the aperture reinforcement with the side Webs of the spring plank seat portion and especially adapted for supporting a centrally positioned spring unit.

19. A spring plate for a five unit spring group formed with a boss adapted to engage within a centrally positioned spring unit of the group, annular spring centering flanges being provided for the other four spring units and spaced substantially coni' cal locating bosses arranged on said plate on substantially the longitudinal center line of gravity of the spring arrangement, the spring centering flanges for the four spring units being in approximately square formation.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

BYERS W. KADEL. 

